Free Will Astrology for the week of July 25th

ARIES (March 21-April 19): "I have tried in my way to be free," sings Leonard Cohen in his song "Bird on a Wire." In other words, he has done the best he can to liberate himself from his unconscious patterns, bad habits and self-delusions. He hasn't been perfect in his efforts, but the work he has done has earned him a measure of deliverance from his suffering. I recommend you follow his lead, Aries. Do your best to bring more relief and release into your life. Get rid of things that hold you back. Overthrow a pinched expectation and ignore a so-called limitation or two. By this time next week, I hope you will be able to say sincerely, "I have tried in my way to be free."

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): "There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm," wrote the novelist Willa Cather. According to my reading of the astrological omens, Taurus, you're in a phase of your cycle when storm-learning isn't your priority. The educational experiences you need most will unfold when you're exploring the mysteries of peace and serenity. In fact, I suspect that the deeper you relax, the more likely it is that you will attract life-changing teachings — lessons that can transform your life for the better and fuel you for a long time.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Is there a message you've wanted to deliver for a long time but haven't been able to? Are you bursting with thoughts or feelings that you've been longing to express but can't find the right way to do so? Have you spent months carrying around a poignant truth that you have felt wasn't ripe enough to be revealed? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, I believe the time will soon be at hand to make a move. But it's important that you're not impulsive or melodramatic as you initiate your breakthrough communications. For best results, be full of grace and balance.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Bees and other insects can see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to humans. When they look at flowers, they detect designs on the petals that you and I cannot. For example, the evening primrose appears completely yellow to us, but it calls seductively to bees with a flashy star pattern at its center. Many of the secret signs that flowers offer the pollinators are meant to guide them to where the pollen and nectar are. Let's use this as our metaphor of the week, Cancerian. I am not predicting that you will be able to perceive a broader spectrum of light. But I do believe you will discern cues and clues that are hidden from most people and that have been imperceptible to you in the past.